Neighborhood Children Parliament functions at the neighbourhood level. Around thirty families living in a given neighbourhood together form ‘Neighbourhood Children’s Parliament’. All the children of these families would automatically be the members and no child can be denied membership.
· Children’s parliament provides a platform to express their concern, problems, and aspirations and to participate in the governance.
· It provides an opportunity to create a movement of their own rights.
· It provides an arena for children to involve in action responses.
· It helps them towards character formation and development skills.
· Creates leadership qualities and self-confidence in children.
· It empowers them to articulate and express their ideas in public.
· Provides them opportunities for participation.
Understanding the underlying advantage for children in their growth and development, Neighbourhood Children’s Parliament is initiated in the month of 4th June, 2020 in seven areas of Rajam, consisting of 256 children from 12 groups. Children are motivated to contribute for the growth and development of their locality.
Representatives of Children’s Parliament
Within a short durtion the children could create a greater impact by their active involvement in the following ways
· In four areas, the children cleaned the drainage and in two areas the children with their contribution purchased the dustbin and placed in the street.
· On the occasion of the birthday of one of the children named Bhanu, she along with the other children planted the saplings in two villages.
· On 27th of June, children’s representative from four areas submitted the memorandum to the Commissioner of Rajam, to put up drainage in their area; he responded promptly and fulfilled the demand which was presented by the children.
Submission of Memorandum to Commissioner
· Children from Mallayapeta pooled together their small savings and provided provisions and clothes for seven aged and destitute.
Children help a old lady with vegetables
The children by their interventions through the Children’s Parliament are becoming the change agents in the neighbourhood and a source of motivation to others.